Running the New SIG P365-XMACRO in Defensive Drills & Stages

If Sig’s P365, P365 XL and XL Spectre were a home runs, I believe the release of the new SIG P365-XMACRO is a grand slam. The P365-XMACRO builds on the successful platform using a FCU and top half of the XL Spectre and joins it with a new frame that is ergonomically superior to the other P365’s, offering up a whopping 17 rounds in a new magazine that is backwards compatible with the other P365 pistols.

SIG P365-XMACRO Pistol Details

The P365 MACRO has become what SIG calls “more”. More capacity, more modularity, more shootability—and while these are its own marketing proclamation, they are simple in their claims and completely verifiable. I can and will vouch for it. 17+1 speaks for itself in a pistol that is 5 inches tall. If you place the MACRO next to a P365 XL with 12-round magazine and extension, they are the same height.

Because the slide is that of the XL line you can use either the Specter with it’s built-in compensator, or opt for the simplicity of the original XL slide, which is one I prefer. The FCU means you’ll have opportunity to switch things around once more companies start cranking out frame options, and you could technically up your XL to a MACRO with a new frame whenever that’s an available option. As of now I have no idea when that will be, but I’d bet SIG will be selling plenty of complete guns until then.

Tech specs and changes are great and offer a slight look into the advantages of the MACRO, but the real eye-opener comes when you press the trigger. The MACRO is highly shootable pistol that unless someone tells me otherwise, is categorized as a micro pistol. It measures 1-inch wide, with a slim grip improved in design and by the new interchangeable backstrap system. While the P365 XL feels fine in your hand, this gun feels amazing. It’s right.

Putting Rounds Through the P365-MACRO

I’m a finicky shooter, easily distracted by minute nuances of a gun’s operational mannerisms. That said, the P365-XMACRO is a straight-forward, accurate, easy to point, shoot, and manipulate kind of pistol. It shoots bigger than it is. During our testing at SIG I managed a solid placement in a four-stage pistol match using the stock MACROs that everyone else used. It seems the capabilities of this pistol have the potential to elevate your game.

Other changes add to its field readiness like a full-length dust cover with proper pic rail. Its easy-carry and concealability remains essentially the same. If you still think you’re in the hunt for the perfect EDC pistol, the Sig P365 Macro may be what you’ve been waiting for.

 P365-XMACRO Specs: 

• Caliber: 9mm 
• Overall length: 6.6 inches 
• Overall height: 5.2 inches 
• Overall width: 1.1 inches 
• Barrel length: 3.1 inches 
• Sight Radius: 5.1 inches 
• Weight (w/magazine): 21.5 oz. 

Look for the new P365-XMACRO priced as low as $799. For even more info, please visit sigsauer.com.

Editor’s Note: Special thanks to Jonny Villanueva for two key video submissions (Sean in chair shooting; Sean in car with hands shooting out the side).

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